I am babysitting all week a 5 y-o boy and a 3 y-o girl. The boy loves me, the girl not so much.
They are extremely energetic and it's hard to keep both of them under control. I am bringing stuff to do today like coloring sheets and a jump rope, I'm thinking of playing hide and go seek and Simon says and possibly tag.
But i need more ideas! I figured you parents out there could help me.

It's been a looong time since I've had kids that age, but here is what I remember:

Get their schedule from parents. Stick to it, especially meals and sleeping.

Imagination is the best thing. When the kids have an idea, run with it. Whether it's unicorns, super heros, magic trees, or fast cars... all you have to do is add in when they stall out.

Have them help with the meal prep to their abilities. Makes them feel good, learn and takes up time! :) Carrying things, sorting, mixing, fetching. What seems like nothing to you is a big deal to them.

Chase butterflies and imaginary bad guys. Go for walks in green spaces; stop to look at every little thing. Bugs are great! :)

Don't let them manipulate you - whatever their parents expect of them, you need to as well. If they are supposed to pick up their toys, dress themselves, be polite - keep it the same. It is easier for both you and for them.

Hide and seek is only a good one if you're sure they aren't too good at it the last time I babysat we played hide and seek and I lost one in the basement. Only for five-ish minutes but a very panicky five minutes! Especially if it's in a house you're not familiar with.

Hide and seek is only a good one if you're sure they aren't too good at it the last time I babysat we played hide and seek and I lost one in the basement. Only for five-ish minutes but a very panicky five minutes! Especially if it's in a house you're not familiar with.

I don't see them being good at it, but I do see them running off.Posted via Mobile Device

If you are allowed to take the kids outside, take them! Best thing would be a park with specific kids areas, but any outside environment that they like will help with the entertaining part. Of course it adds greatly to possible dangers, so choose with care and never let them out of your sight, not even for a minute, not for any reason in the world.

never let them out of your sight, not even for a minute, not for any reason in the world.

^^ THIS!! In public. It's shocking how fast they can disappear whether through their own volition or someone else's. There is no such thing as "they'll be fine for a minute." That'll be the minute that they're gone. It's scary. REALLY scary.

How's the weather there? If it's hot outside, playing with the hose usually takes up a good amount of time. I had my granddaughter with me 3 days, I needed to get a ton of yard work down, I gave her all the feed buckets, dog dishes, plant pots, whatever I could find, laid them all out on the lawn, turned the hose on 1/2 way and told to her wash them. She was busy the whole time, "Very busy Gramma, I don't have time to eat lunch, I need to wash stuff!" Added bonus, got my lawn watered, lol.

A big one that has always gone over well with the kids that I have nannied ,ages 2-5, has been sitting down and coloring with them. Whether it be a coloring book, actually drawing a picture, or outside with sidewalk chalk they have all LOVED it and can't wait for me to come back the next day. One little boy liked it when I made paper airplanes for him and he would color them in, shortly after we had a whole army of paper airplanes and we had battles with them. Another little girl loved coloring her own pictures, I drew a picture of her and me playing and I actually found it on their refrigerator the next day. And who doesn't love side walk chalk? You can never go wrong with some crayons, paper, and coloring books and chalk!

When I bestride her, I soar, I am a hawk. She trots the air, the earth sings when she touches it. She lends me the wings I lack

Scavenger hunts. Especially for the 5 y-o. Don't be too picky; say something like "Find me something that is red, and round, and that you can eat!" Whether he brings you a tomato or an apple, accept it and lay on the praise. The better he gets at, the more specific you can be. So instead of just red and round, maybe say you want something red, round and sweet.

Play I-spy. Let the kid spy. This is a great way to get your kids looking at their surroundings and coming out of themselves to be more aware of what's going on in their world, it translates really well to later in life. (It also helps your brain. ;)

Get some kid friendly board games, an art that's unfortunately dying in the video-game era, these games are great for helping youngsters understand rules, taking turns, and can be a great time-killer for both you and them.

Disney movies of course! If you're cooking and the kids don't want to help, put them somewhere in your line of vision and put on a classic. Be it Lion King, Bambi, Balto... Land Before Time, if you can get your hands on it. All kid friendly, good entertainment and can lead right into nap-time or meal time.

Get them outside for a little while and encourage them to run around, or be active - maybe try playing scavenger hunts or I-spy out there. Don't do anything that encourages them running off out of your line of vision. Hide-N-Seek is an inside game with kids this young, because habits can be easily formed and they can run away from you in a snap if they really want to. At the age of distraction disease and learning what the rules are, you want to encourage being around their assigned adult more so than the opposite.

Have them help with chores. If they make a mess, suggest they help clean it up. If their toys are all over the place, suggest they pick them up. Keep them included in cleaning and picking up after themselves because it can translate into their life later on.

The path is different for you and me, but the journey begins in the heart.

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